The Dallas Cowboys are heading into a pivotal offseason with 22 players on expiring contracts-and while the headlines will focus on the big-name unrestricted free agents, don’t sleep on the decisions looming around their restricted free agents (RFAs). These aren’t the flashiest names on the roster, but they’re the kind of foundational pieces that fill out a 53-man squad and keep a team competitive deep into January.
Let’s break down what the Cowboys are facing.
First, a quick refresher: What is a Restricted Free Agent?
A restricted free agent is a player who’s completed three accrued NFL seasons and whose contract is expiring. Unlike unrestricted free agents, RFAs can receive qualifying offers-known as tenders-from their current team. These tenders come with a predetermined salary tied to the level of draft compensation the team would receive if another franchise signs the player and the original team doesn’t match the offer.
For 2026, here’s what those tender amounts are projected to look like:
- First-round tender: $7.893 million
- Second-round tender: $5.658 million
- Right of first refusal (no draft compensation): $3.453 million
These numbers matter, because they set the price tag for keeping these players around-and for a team like Dallas, who’s already navigating a tight salary cap situation, every dollar counts.
Cowboys 2026 RFAs: Who’s on the list?
- K Brandon Aubrey
- OL Brock Hoffman
- OL T.J. Bass
- RB Malik Davis
- S Juanyeh Thomas
Let’s take a closer look at each one.
Brandon Aubrey - Kicker
If there’s one name on this list that feels like a lock to stick around, it’s Aubrey. He’s been rock solid, showing consistency and range that’s hard to find at the position.
Kickers don’t often get multi-year deals unless they’ve truly earned it-but Aubrey has made a strong case. He’s not just a candidate for a tender; he may be in line for a longer-term commitment, and the Cowboys would be wise to lock him up before another team comes calling.
Brock Hoffman - Offensive Line
Hoffman stepped up in a big way this past season, proving he can hold his own as a starting-caliber interior lineman. That kind of versatility and reliability doesn’t go unnoticed-especially on a team that’s had its fair share of O-line injuries.
But here’s the catch: he may have played himself out of Dallas’ price range. A second-round tender would cost the Cowboys over $5.6 million, and that’s a steep investment for a player who, while valuable, isn’t a guaranteed starter.
If another team sees him as a plug-and-play guy, the Cowboys might be forced to let him walk.
T.J. Bass - Offensive Line
Bass has been the kind of steady depth piece every team needs. He’s not a household name, but he’s answered the call whenever needed.
The Cowboys would probably like to keep him in the building, but again, it all comes down to cost. A right-of-first-refusal tender would still run over $3.4 million-and for a backup, that’s not a small chunk of change.
If Bass draws interest elsewhere, Dallas may have to make a tough call.
Malik Davis - Running Back
Davis has flashed at times in limited action, showing some burst and versatility out of the backfield. But in today’s NFL, running backs are one of the most replaceable positions-and teams are reluctant to spend heavily unless the player is a true difference-maker. A tender north of $3 million is likely too rich for a rotational back, and Davis could find himself testing the open market.
Juanyeh Thomas - Safety
Thomas has carved out a role on special teams and provided depth in the secondary, but much like Davis, the price tag for a tender might be too high for the Cowboys to justify. He’s the kind of player they’d love to bring back on a cheaper deal, but unless he’s willing to return at a discount, he could be playing elsewhere in 2026.
The Bottom Line
Every one of these RFAs has contributed in meaningful ways, and that’s what makes these decisions so challenging. But this is the business side of football-where performance meets price tag, and tough calls have to be made. The Cowboys have to weigh the value of each player against the cost of keeping them, all while managing a roster filled with bigger contract decisions on the horizon.
Aubrey feels like the safest bet to return, potentially on a multi-year deal. Hoffman and Bass are wild cards, depending on how the market views their upside.
Davis and Thomas? They may be on the outside looking in unless Dallas can negotiate something below the tender threshold.
One thing’s for sure: the Cowboys' front office has some work to do. And if they want to keep this roster championship-caliber, nailing these under-the-radar decisions will be just as important as the headline-grabbing moves.